Mike Pitts
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pittso.bsky.social
Mike Pitts
@pittso.bsky.social
Deputy Director at Innovate UK for Heat & Buildings. Welsh. Chemist. Hypenotic. ChesterSciBar. Catalyst Science Discovery Centre. Passionate about the power of stories and innovation. Some whimsy. Opinions own.
Gave blood yesterday, went for a a few beers then had a long day to Newport and back so after 4 weeks dealing with a knee injury wanst sure about returning to rugby tonight, but loved it.
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
Heat pumps news! DESNZ is expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air to air heat pumps and heat batteries.
Both will be eligible for a £2,500 grant if it fully replaces a gas or oil boiler…

www.businessgreen.com/news/4521952...
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Government set to expand scheme to include air conditioning heat pumps
Government expands heat pump scheme to include heat batteries and 'air-to-air devices' that can cool homes in summer, despite speculation over budget cuts
www.businessgreen.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
Next month we round off an excellent year of talks with our very own @pittso.bsky.social who will be talking about the science of storytelling & exploring (maybe ruining?) some of our favourite Christmas films!
📆9th Dec, 7pm
📍@storyhouselive.bsky.social
ℹ️https://www.facebook.com/share/1AN5uk3zEt/
November 16, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
Next month we round off an excellent year of talks with our very own @pittso.bsky.social who will be talking about the science of storytelling & exploring (maybe ruining?) some of our favourite Christmas films!
📆9th Dec, 7pm
📍@storyhouselive.bsky.social
ℹ️https://www.facebook.com/share/1AN5uk3zEt/
November 16, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Don't miss this free talk I'm doing on all your favourite Christmas films! I'll break them down with the science of storytelling.

#Chester
November 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
#DYK The Dee is the most managed river in Europe?
More water is extracted from the Dee than from the whole of the Lake District!
November 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Tonight's @chesterscibar.bsky.social has Niall Macfayden taking us through 10,000 years of the river Dee supporting Chester. And how it will in the future....
November 11, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Tomorrow!!
Chester people, don't miss this excellent @chesterscibar.bsky.social talk next week on plans to get green heat for the city from the Dee. Will also cover the history and ecology of the river and it's importance to the city.

It is FREE and part of @storyhouselive.bsky.social Futures Festival.
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
Illinois: $1 billion in battery investment will save consumers $13 billion in capacity costs.

This is what @jigarshahdc.bsky.social and I have been talking about the past years. As capacity costs rise while battery costs plummet, we will see more of this.
pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/11/05/i...
Illinois to add 3 GW of batteries, saving consumers $12 billion over 20 years
Illinois is set to issue procurements for 3 GW of battery storage, under a bill expected to be signed by Governor JB Pritzker. Transmission improvements to speed renewable deployment are also in the w...
pv-magazine-usa.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
Chester people, don't miss this excellent @chesterscibar.bsky.social talk next week on plans to get green heat for the city from the Dee. Will also cover the history and ecology of the river and it's importance to the city.

It is FREE and part of @storyhouselive.bsky.social Futures Festival.
November 7, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
It's true!
Join us
Chester people, don't miss this excellent @chesterscibar.bsky.social talk next week on plans to get green heat for the city from the Dee. Will also cover the history and ecology of the river and it's importance to the city.

It is FREE and part of @storyhouselive.bsky.social Futures Festival.
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Chester people, don't miss this excellent @chesterscibar.bsky.social talk next week on plans to get green heat for the city from the Dee. Will also cover the history and ecology of the river and it's importance to the city.

It is FREE and part of @storyhouselive.bsky.social Futures Festival.
November 7, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Jack of all trades, master of none.

however...

the full idiom is:

Jack of all trades, master of none, though often times better than a master of one.
November 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
The EU's new climate targets are not as ambitious as hoped, but also...
November 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
The IFS has calculated that the effective carbon price on household use of gas is negative, thanks to its lower VAT rate.

ifs.org.uk/articles/tax....

This obviously sets back the carbon transition. Let's hope the Government is looking to make this better!
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Totally normal night at @paysan.bsky.social yesterday.
November 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
After years of research, scientist Leonid Pshenichnov concluded Russia + China cannot continue fishing krill, the main food source of many marine creatures, at current rates without risking breakdown of entire ocean ecosystems. Russia had him arrested:

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Russia arrests Ukrainian biologist for backing curbs on Antarctic krill fishing
‘Trumped-up’ charges spark diplomatic row as scientists express fears for health of 70-year-old Leonid Pshenichnov
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Don't miss this free talk about the plans for a green energy showcase in Chester. @shitchester.bsky.social
Heating Chester with the Dee - 2000 years of the river supporting the city. This talk will cover the efforts to bring the hydro-hub back into use.
Tuesday 11th November @storyhouselive.bsky.social
Doors open at 7:00 🚪
Talk starts 7:30 🗣️
Stay for drinks and chat until 9:00(ish!) 🍻
fb.me/e/iRWKXDbhP
October 28, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Second lorry load of electric vans delivered to my local sorting office in a week. Great to see.
October 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
London today. Being filmed and catching up with an old collaborator.
Heavy week of travel ahead. Today is Sheffield to see a project we supported helping private landlords upgrade their properties to also benefit tenants.
#NetZeroHeat
October 22, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Mike Pitts
Here's something that's not talked about enough

The air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills an estimated 10 million people a year

1 in 6 deaths is caused by fossil fuels

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Today is Prudhoe outside Newcastle to see a manufacturing facility we have supported to make lower cost aerogels.
Heavy week of travel ahead. Today is Sheffield to see a project we supported helping private landlords upgrade their properties to also benefit tenants.
#NetZeroHeat
October 21, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Heavy week of travel ahead. Today is Sheffield to see a project we supported helping private landlords upgrade their properties to also benefit tenants.
#NetZeroHeat
October 20, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Oh beautiful
It's kinda cool that Gary Larson is doing new cartoons because he picked up a digital tablet, taught himself how to use it, and it made him love drawing again.

www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
New Work by Gary Larson | TheFarSide.com
Get an exclusive look at brand new cartoons and artwork from cartoonist Gary Larson, creator of the iconic comic strip The Far Side®.
www.thefarside.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Day off today to reinvigorate myself by spending time with my partner and my community. And good food, naturally.
October 16, 2025 at 9:24 AM